Drain Nipple

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a low point pipe fitting for draining accumulated condensation from electrical conduit systems that are installed in industrial, commercial and residential facilities. The fitting includes a centrally disposed engaging tool members with opposing threaded fittings with a drain incorporated in the underside of the engaging tool members.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to electrical raceways, and moreparticularly a device to support electrical drain systems for removingcondensation from electrical raceway systems at low point areas.

In commercial, offshore and industrial construction, it is commonpractice to contain electrical wiring in metal, or sometimes plastic,conduits. Even in relatively dry locations, moisture typically forms onthe interior walls of the conduit due to condensation of various type ofvapor in the air. In installations where metal conduits and electricalraceways are employed, corrosion and premature deterioration of theconduit material may result. Further, an accumulation of moisture vaporin the conduit system may result in creating an electrical short circuitand damage to electrical devices.

Since moisture vapor accumulating inside the conduits can sparkflammable vapors within the electrical conduit system, the problem maybe eliminated by simply providing an open fitting or even a hole atvarious low points in the conduit system. Currently the fitting used areexpensive, difficult and labor intensive to install. Additionally, thecurrent fittings used add extra weight to structures offshore andrequire more space to install. The current installation of fittingsknown to those skilled in the art would require multiple cutting andthreading of multiple conduit sections with an increased risk ofimproper installation. What is needed is a simple device that can beeasily installed within an electrical conduit system that decreases therisk of compromising the integrity of the electrical conduit raceway.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a low point drain fitting for removingaccumulated condensation from electrical conduit systems. The drainfitting includes a tubular coupling having a throughbore with internallyor externally disposed connection portions on opposing ends. Centrallyincorporated upon the external surface of the tubular coupling are toolengaging members protruding outwardly wherein the drain coupling can beeasily installed. An aperture is centrally located within the undersideof the tool engaging member extending through into the throughbore. Inalternative embodiments a screen deterrent can be installed below theaperture.

One object of the invention is to provide a fitting that is easilyinstalled within the electrical conduit system. Other objects andadvantages of the invention will appear from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention,reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the fitting installed within anelectrical conduit.

FIG. 1 a is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of theelectrical conduit.

FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of the fitting with threads within thedrain perpendicular to throughbore.

FIG. 2 a is a cross-section view of the fitting with the drain plug

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of the fitting with no threads within thedrain.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the fitting with external threads on thetubular member and smooth drain.

FIG. 4 a is a side view of the fitting with internal threads on thetubular member and smooth drain.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the fitting with threads within the drain andtubular member having external threads.

FIG. 5 a is a side view of the fitting with threads within the drain andtubular member having internal threads.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the prior art installed within anelectrical conduit.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the fitting with external threads onthe tubular member and with the screen filter.

FIG. 7 a is a side view of the fitting with internal threads and thescreen filter.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the device with screen filter.

FIG. 8 a is an alternative embodiment of the cross-sectional view of thescreen filter connected below a drain plug.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1 there is shown a perspective view of thepresent invention, drain nipple (10) with internal connections installedin an electrical conduit system at the low point of gravity to allowdrainage as a result of moisture condensation within the electricalconduit system. Drain nipple (10) is situated between pipe section (50)and pipe section (51) wherein the two sections are interconnected withinthe electrical conduit system (55) as shown in FIG. 1. Alternativelydrain nipple (12) with external connections can be installed betweenconventional junction T-fittings (83) wherein pipe sections (50) and(51) are interconnected within an electrical conduit system (55) asshown in FIG. 1 a.

In use, to install drain nipple (10, 12) as shown in FIGS. 1 and 1 arespectively, at the interconnections of pipe sections (50) and (51) atechnician would not have to cut and thread which is done currently toinstall in the prior art as shown in FIG. 6. Thus, time is saved duringthe installation phase. By installing the device (10, 12) of the presentinvention, additional factory coatings are preserved on metal conduitsthereby preventing premature corrosion and eliminating field dressingwithin an electrical conduit system.

The drain nipple (10, 12) in FIG. 1 and 1 a respectively replaces thejuncture configuration 83 depicted in the prior art connecting sections50 and 51 shown in FIG. 6. The device (10, 12) of the present inventiondecreases the installation time required to install the standard ConduitTee fitting (83) illustrated in FIG. 6 which includes a tee-cover,gasket, reducer and drain plug (13). Additionally, the time normallyrequired to pull wire through the tee fitting (83) is significantlydecreased by installation of drain nipple (10,12) wherein time and moneyis saved in equipment and labor. Another advantage is that the drainnipple (10, 12) is a unitary piece that is lighter in weight andrequires less space for offshore platform.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 2 a, and 3 there is shown a cross sectionalview of alternative embodiments of the present invention. Drain nipple(10, 12) further comprises a cylindrical tubular member (22) of apre-determined length with a throughbore (37) having a continuousdiameter therethrough. Drain Nipple (10 or 12) can be made of galvanizedsteel, PVC piping, PVC coated steel, stainless steel, brass, or anothersuitable type of material that will not rust from moisture or corrosiveenvironments. Referring to FIGS. 4, 4 a, 5, and 5 a, in the preferredembodiment, the tubular member (22) can have a length and diameterconfigured to accommodate any conduit pipe size. The length of thetubular member (22) is proportional to and controlled by the diameter ofthe electrical conduit pipe. In the preferred embodiment the diameter ofthe tubular member (22) can be approximately at least ½ inch.Additionally, the length of the opposing coupling sections (60, 62) areproportional to and controlled by the diameter of the electrical conduitpipe and the length of tubular member (22). Thus, drain nipple (10, 12)of the present invention can be configured and manufactured to fit anyelectrical conduit pipe.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 2 a and 3, the drain nipple (10, 12) furthercomprises a unitary tool engaging member (20) which is generallycentrally disposed encircling tubular member (22) and protruding outwardtherefrom. Tool engaging member (20) further comprises a solidthree-dimensional structure configured to cooperatively engage with acorresponding tool device. In the preferred embodiment, as shown toolengaging member (20) is hexagonal and configured to cooperatively engagewith a wrench device. However, tool engaging member (20) can beconfigured to support other torque tools that can be used tointerconnect electrical piping conduits.

In the preferred embodiment, the hexagonal tool engaging member can beat least ⅞ inches in depth and at least 1⅛ inches wide in length.However, the depth can be configured in length to support aperture (25,35) as shown in FIGS. 2, 2 a, and 3.

Extending from opposing sides of tool engaging member (20) to a distalend is first tubular portion (40) and opposing tubular portion (45) ofFIGS. 4 and 4 a. Drain nipple (10, 12) further comprises a firstcoupling section (60) formed upon first tubular portion (40) and anopposing second coupling section (62) formed upon opposing tubularportion (45). Each tubular portion is configured to cooperatively engagewith piping conduits within an electrical conduit system as depicted inFIGS. 1 and 1 a. First coupling section (60) and opposing secondcoupling section (62) have a pre-determined length located on opposingdistal ends and can be internally or externally disposed. In thepreferred embodiment female or male NPT as well as female or male metricthreads having helical structure. In the preferred embodiment firstcoupling section (60) and opposing second coupling section (62) can havea threaded length configured to accommodate the electrical conduit ofthe system.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 2 a, and 3 drain nipple (10, 12) further comprisesan aperture (25, 35) disposed within one section of the tool engagingmember (20) perpendicularly aligned with throughbore (37) and having acontinuous diameter linearly extending there from.

In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, aperture 35 can be smooth as itextends downward. In this embodiment aperture is smooth and can be atleast 1/16^(th) of an inch. In the alternative embodiment in FIGS. 2 and2 a aperture 25 has connecting members (48) which extends linearlydownward. In this embodiment aperture is slightly larger and can be atleast ½ of an inch to allow for connection to a drain screw (49) withinaperture (25) which allows for drainage of condensation from theelectrical conduit raceway. As depicted aperture (25) is perpendicularlyaligned with throughbore (37) and extends linearly downward therefrom.

In the preferred embodiment, the connection members (60, 62) areconventional NPT or metric threading as depicted in FIGS. 4, 4 a, 5, and5 a. However, connection members (60, 62) can be configured to supportany electrical conduits. Aperture (25, 35) can be have a small diameterof 1/16^(th) inch or a larger diameter of ½ inch as respectivelydepicted in FIGS. 2, 2 a and 3.

As shown in perspective view in FIGS. 4 and 4 a, aperture 35 is smoothand extends through tool engaging member (20) and into the cavity oftubular member 40. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 5 a, aperture (25) has alarger diameter which can be configured with a coupling section (48)that linearly extends from throughbore (37) and is configured tocooperatively engage with another pipe fitting to facilitate drainage asshown in FIG. 1. Coupling section (48) can be conventional NPTthreading.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 there is shown a screen (80) located directlybelow the end of the passageway of aperture (35). Screen (80) can bemade of plastic, stainless steel, aluminum, or another non-corrosivematerial. Directly below the passageway is a channel (92) that receivesthe screen (80) therein. A fastener such as a spring loaded mechanism(95) can be disposed within channel (92) to allow the screen (80) to besecurely fastened therein. Referring to FIGS. 7 a and 8 a there is shownscreen (80) which is installed below prior art drain plug (93) installedwithin aperture (25).

While in use drain nipple (10, 12) is placed within the lowest gravitypoint within the electrical conduit with the aperture (25, 35) locatedfacing downward which allows condensation such as oil, water and gasthrough aperture (25, 35) to drain as shown in FIG. 1 and 1 a.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit and teachings of the invention. Theembodiments described herein are exemplary only and are not limiting.Many variations and modification of the invention and apparatusdisclosed herein are possible and are within the scope of the invention.Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the descriptionset out above, but is only limited by the claims which follow, the scopeincluding all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A drain device for an electrical conduit systemcomprising: a tubular member with a pre-determined length having athrough bore with a continuous diameter; a first coupling sectiondisposed on a first end of the tubular member; a second coupling sectiondisposed on an opposing second end of the tubular member; a toolengaging unitary member surrounding the tubular member; the toolengaging member having a three-dimensional solid structure externalsurfaces configured to cooperatively engage with a tool that is used toinstall the tubular member between opposing pipe members within theelectrical conduit system; coupling sections attached to opposing distalends of the tubular member; an aperture perpendicularly aligned with thethroughbore and extending linearly downward from the throughbore throughthe tool engaging member wherein a passageway is formed; the aperturebeing disposed within a lowest gravity point within the electricalconduit facing downward toward the ground allowing condensation toescape from the electrical conduit system; and the throughbore providinga fluid path into the passageway for the condensation to flow throughthe aperture.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the first and opposingcoupling section has a female connection thereon or therein.
 3. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein the first and opposing coupling section has amale connection thereon or therein.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein theexternal surfaces of the tool engaging members are hexagonal forengaging with a wrench.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein the externalsurfaces of the tool engaging members are configured to engage with atorque tool.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein the tubular member have alength directly proportional to the diameter of opposing pipe members.7. The device of claim 1 where in the coupling section have a lengthdirectly proportional to the diameter of the tubular member.
 8. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein the tool engaging member is centrally disposedupon the tubular member.
 9. The device of claim 1 wherein the aperturehas a smooth internal surface.
 10. The device of claim 1 wherein theaperture has connection members disposed along the passageway.
 11. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein the aperture has a diameter of at least 1/16inches.
 12. The device of claim 1 wherein the aperture has a diameter ofat least ½ inches.
 13. The device of claim 1 where in the couplingsection is approximately at least one-half inch.